Most Important Texas Driving Laws

Every year, thousands of preventable car accidents happen on Texas roads because drivers forget or ignore basic traffic rules. The most important Texas driving laws involve speed limits, right-of-way rules, distracted driving restrictions, seat belt requirements, and strict penalties for driving while intoxicated.

Whether you just moved here or have been driving in Texas your whole life, a quick refresher on state laws can help you avoid costly tickets and determine liability in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

Texas Distracted Driving Laws

Texas takes distracted driving seriously, and the penalties reflect that. Here are the key restrictions you should keep familiar with:

• Reading, writing, or sending text messages while operating a vehicle
• Any cell phone use in active school zones
• Drivers under 18 cannot use wireless devices at all (even hands-free)
• Texting while driving can result in fines up to $200 for repeat offenses

Violating these restrictions can also result in fines and may contribute to distracted driving accidents.

Texas Speeding Laws

Speed limits in Texas vary by road type and the area you are traveling through. In residential zones, you will typically see limits of 30 mph, while rural highways can reach up to 75 mph.

Some stretches of toll road in Central Texas even post 85 mph speed limits. But exceeding the posted speed limit does not just mean a fine. Excessive speeding can lead to license suspension, and if a crash happens, you may face reckless driving charges on top of everything else.

Right-of-Way and Lane Usage Texas Traffic Laws

Lane rules and right-of-way laws prevent confusion at intersections and on highways. Failing to follow them is one of the most common causes of collisions:

• Yielding at intersections: When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield the right of way to the driver on the right.
• Left-turn yielding: If you are turning left at a green light without an arrow, oncoming traffic has the right of way.
• HOV lanes: High-occupancy vehicle lanes require at least two passengers during posted hours, and entering or exiting outside designated zones can result in heavy fines.
• Passing on the left: Texas law requires you to use the left lane for passing only and return to the right lane once you have cleared the slower vehicle.

Move Over/Slow Down Laws

When you spot an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its lights flashing, Texas law requires you to either move one lane over or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. The same rule applies to tow trucks, TxDOT vehicles, and utility service vehicles. Violating this law can cost you up to $2,000 in fines.

These laws are especially important in preventing serious truck accidents, as large commercial vehicles require more time and distance to slow down or change lanes safely when approaching roadside responders and disabled vehicles.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Laws

Texas draws a firm line when it comes to impaired driving. Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04, operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated is a criminal offense. Some important legal provisions include:

• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits: For drivers 21 and older, the legal limit is 0.08%. Commercial drivers face a lower threshold of 0.04%, and anyone under 21 cannot have any detectable amount of alcohol.
• Penalties for a first offense: A first-time DWI conviction can result in a fine of up to $2,000, 3 to 180 days in jail, and a license suspension of up to 1 year.
• Enhanced penalties: BAC of 0.15% or higher upgrades the charge to a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $4,000.

Texas Motorcycle Laws

Motorcyclists follow many of the same traffic laws as other drivers, but a few rules apply specifically to them. Here is what Texas requires:

• All riders under 21 must wear a helmet
• Riders over 21 may go without a helmet only if they carry qualifying health insurance or have completed a safety course
• Lane splitting is not legal in Texas
• Headlights must remain on at all times while riding

Texas Rules of the Road for Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Bicyclists and pedestrians share the road with motor vehicles, so Texas law assigns responsibilities to all of them. Here are the basics you should know:

• Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic
• Drivers must give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist
• Pedestrians must use crosswalks where available
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks

Texas Driver’s License and Insurance Requirements

Before you hit the road, make sure your paperwork is in order. Texas requires every driver to carry specific documentation at all times:

• A valid Texas driver’s license or permit
• Proof of minimum liability insurance coverage of 30/60/25 ($30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, $25,000 for property damage)
• Current vehicle registration and inspection

The Motor Vehicle Accidents at Gamez Law Firm Can Help After a Texas Traffic Accident

If a traffic accident has turned your life upside down, you do not have to figure out the next steps alone. Our legal team at Gamez Law Firm is dedicated to stepping in and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation with a San Antonio motor vehicle accident attorney. The call costs you nothing, and it could make all the difference in your recovery.

We serve all areas in San Antonio and throughout Texas.

Gamez Law Firm

2943 Mossrock
San Antonio, TX 78230

(210) 736-4040